The verses set by Selwyn, for reading and meditation, are Proverbs 6:27-35 (NLT): “Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished.
Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house.
But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased. For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.”
I liked the first verse – it has so many layers of meaning!
Selwyn introduces today’s study with: “We have talked about chasity; let’s talk about faithfulness. Chasity is purity prior to marriage; faithfulness is virtue within marriage. Love cannot be love unless it includes faithfulness, and God wants everyone who enters into marriage to be loyal and true.”
He concludes with these words: “People may shy away from commitment in a relationship, claiming they want to be ‘free’ – but without commitment is it really love? Love is a commitment, and when men and women indulge in sex before marriage or a so-called affair they don’t just break God’s laws; they also break His heart.
It is essential to be aware that when we sin – we hurt, the creator of all the universe – we cause God grief. This is no such thing as a victimless sin – every sin has – as its victim, a tortured Christ on the cross – bruised, beaten and bleeding. When we enjoy the freedom of doing what we want; doing those things which are in opposition to Jesus’ commandments – we break God’s heart – and, He weeps!
Sin breaks God’s heart
The verses set by Selwyn, for reading and meditation, are Proverbs 6:27-35 (NLT): “Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished.
Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house.
But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased. For the woman’s jealous husband will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.”
I liked the first verse – it has so many layers of meaning!
Selwyn introduces today’s study with: “We have talked about chasity; let’s talk about faithfulness. Chasity is purity prior to marriage; faithfulness is virtue within marriage. Love cannot be love unless it includes faithfulness, and God wants everyone who enters into marriage to be loyal and true.”
He concludes with these words: “People may shy away from commitment in a relationship, claiming they want to be ‘free’ – but without commitment is it really love? Love is a commitment, and when men and women indulge in sex before marriage or a so-called affair they don’t just break God’s laws; they also break His heart.
It is essential to be aware that when we sin – we hurt, the creator of all the universe – we cause God grief. This is no such thing as a victimless sin – every sin has – as its victim, a tortured Christ on the cross – bruised, beaten and bleeding. When we enjoy the freedom of doing what we want; doing those things which are in opposition to Jesus’ commandments – we break God’s heart – and, He weeps!